Titanic's Final Moments: Missing Pieces

When Robert Ballard discovered the Titanic at the bottom of the North Atlantic Ocean in 1985, it lay in two pieces. Titanic's Final Moments: Missing Pieces, a History Channel production from the Deep Sea Detectives series follows a 2005 expedition hoping to solve the mystery of why the vessel split in half on its way to its watery grave two-and-a-half miles beneath the surface of the sea. Embarking on a Russian scientific vessel with state-of-the-art MIR submersibles, bright lights, robotic arms, and high-resolution cameras, the team—including explorers John Chatterton and Richie Kohler—were able to obtain an unprecedented look at the wreckage, exploring previously undocumented portions of the debris field, and discovering two pieces of the bottom hull in pristine condition that challenge previous theories on Titanic's “final moments.” Interwoven throughout is the story of Titanic's doomed voyage, as viewers are simultaneously briefed on the historical aspects and modern controversies surrounding what happened after the great ship hit the iceberg. A compelling documentary on a subject that has captured the imagination of many, DVD extras here include a behind-the-scenes featurette and the History's Mysteries episode “Doomed Sisters of the Titanic,” which relates the stories of the Olympic and hospital ship Britannic. Highly recommended. Aud: P. (C. Block)